September11
Theme #2: Linear Perspective

 

 

Linear perspective is a system for creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface.  It is based on the fact that parallel lines or edges appear to converge and objects appear smaller as the distance between them and the viewer increases.  The point on the horizon line where parallel lines appear to converge is called the vanishing point.  A work executed in one-point perspective has a single vanishing point.  A work executed in two-point perspective has two vanishing points.

 

Project
Instructions
Supplies
Sighting    
  Practice sighting techniques using a still life composed of boxes Butcher paper
  As you draw the arrangement, hold your pencil horizontal and find reference points that fall along a straight line Pencils
  As you draw the arrangement, hold your pencil vertical and find reference points that fall along a straight line  
  Use your pencil to estimate relative sizes by holding it out against an object and using it as a measure  
  Use your  pencil to estimate relative angles by holding it out horizontally or vertically against an object and using it as a measure  
     
Outdoor sketches    
  Use your sighting techniques to draw a landscape view outside the classroom Sketchpad
  Begin with a quick underdrawing that outlines the basic shapes you are considering in your view Pencils
  Further define your forms by adding in detail and descriptive line  
     
Thumbnail sketches    
  Pick an area in the room to draw  
  Focus on defining basic shapes, important values and outstanding features rather than minute details  
  Draw a frame around the drawing, paying special attention to overall composition  
     
Linear perspective drawing    
  Create an in-depth drawing that utilizes one-point and two-point perspective techniques Drawing paper
  Make thumbnail sketches and preliminary underdrawings to work out compositional and perspective problems Pencils
  If you are looking at a photo or a real landscape (as opposed to an imaginary scene in your mind) use sighting techniques to arrange proportions and angles  

 

 

 

 

Examples and Inspiration

 

 

 

Raphael. School of Athens. c. 1510-11.
Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. Revised Second ed. Vol. 2. New York: Prentice Hall Inc., and Harry N. Abrams Inc., 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 
One-point perspective
Two-point perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 
Robert Frank. U.S. 285, New Mexico. 1955-56.
Frank, Robert. The Americans. SCALO Publishers, New York. 2000.
One-Point Perspective
Fichner-Rathus, Lois.  Understanding Art.  Seventh edition.  Australia: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two-Point Perspective
Fichner-Rathus, Lois.  Understanding Art.  Seventh edition.  Australia: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perspective Drawing of Objects Set at Different Angles
Fichner-Rathus, Lois.  Understanding Art.  Seventh edition.  Australia: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curved Objects Drawin in Perspective
Fichner-Rathus, Lois.  Understanding Art.  Seventh edition.  Australia: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Estes. Williamsburg Bridge.  1995.  Oil on canvas.
Fichner-Rathus, Lois.  Understanding Art.  Seventh edition.  Australia: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward Ruscha.  Double Standard.  1969.  Color silkscreen printed on mold-made paper.
Betti, Claudia and Teel Sale. Drawing: A Contemporary Approach. Fourth edition. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1980.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Noble.  Nobspital.  1997-98.
Hoptman, Laura. drawing now: eight propositions.  New York:  The Museum of Modern Art, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Adams. Mobile homes, Jefferson County, Colorado. 1973.
Hirsch, Robert. Seizing the Light: A History of Photography. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Charles Sheeler. The Upper Deck. c. 1928. Silver print.
Charles Sheeler. The Upper Deck. 1929. Oil on canvas.
Richard G. Tansey & Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art Through the Ages. Tenth ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Shelton with Sunspots, N.Y. 1926.
Drohojowska-Philp, Hunter. Full Bloom: The Art and Life of Georgia O' Keefe. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarence Carter.  Siena.  1991.
Betti, Claudia and Teel Sale.  Drawing:  A Contemporary Approach.  Fourth edition.  Fort Worth:  Harcourt Brace College Publishers.  1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

M. C. Escher.  Study for the lithograph High and Low.  1947.
Betti, Claudia and Teel Sale.  Drawing:  A Contemporary Approach.  Fourth edition.  Fort Worth:  Harcourt Brace College Publishers.  1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sighting Exercises

 

 

 

sighting straight lines
Garcia, Claire Watson.  Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner.  New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.  2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

sighting proportion
Garcia, Claire Watson.  Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner.  New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.  2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

sighting angles